Soul

That's pretty much what I'm thinking too. No way would I want to face off against Belichek in a Super Bowl, especially since it would become a huge revenge game for New England, in addition to being a Super Bowl which they've never lost. I'd gladly take the Colts and Peyton over all that nasty synergy.

I wish the Colts would win, and indeed I will be rooting for them. Damn Brady & his Pats though......they're like the monster in a horror movie who just will not die. DIE ALREADY.

The flag was out so early, that I didn't get myself very excited about the runback. I didn't see the flag, so I was way too excited about a non-touchdown. From where we were sitting the flag could be seen immediately. The place was going bazonkers, which was pretty fun to see. I spent the play going "NO! FLAG! NO!" After the FG, of course-----that was really something to see.

The Vikings were solid defensively this year, they just had nothing on offense. In terms of interdivisional defenses, I think the Saints actually had it easier by playing the Bucs and Falcons twice. Given the Bears competition within the division and the fact that they were never fewer than 3 games ahead of the next closest NFC competitor, the Bears last 7 games were all "throwaway" games. They just won 6 of them. That's not to say the Bears didn't play hard in any of them. It's just to say that there was little to no reason to go all out from the Giants game on. Of course, their performance this past week means more, and they didn't exactly play a whole lot better defensively. So who's to say what's going to happen with the defense. Nobody can say. Maybe they stink it up and get killed. Or, maybe they manage the big plays and keep it close. I have no clue what's going to happen. I suspect NO has the advantage next week. I hope not. I do know the larger share of the country will be rooting for the Saints, and against the Bears. That's about all I can say for sure.

ouch I know one thing, the next time Merriman gets "injured" and has to be taken to the locker room, I'd have an NFL escort verify what exactly he's doing back there. Especially when it looks like a serious injury but 5 minutes later he's running around as if nothing happened. Just sayin'. He should no longer have the presumption of being on the level, 'cuz he clearly isn't.

When it comes to Bonds, nothing is a big deal for the Giants. Pumping roids, popping uppers, who cares? Just sign him for big bucks and get that chocolate-brown corvette ready for the in-game party. On a side note, apparently putting a winning team on the field isn't a big deal for the Giants, either.

Sorry to have to say this, but I sincerely hope you are crushed for having missed the greatest moment in Bear history for the past 20 years 8-)

He was just very frustrated and upset, as anyone can understand he would be. Patriots shouldn't be doing that. But then again----that Merriman dance is among the most ridiculous things I've ever seen.

Saints offense is ranked higher than the Bears defense and the Saints D is ranked higher than the Bears offense. The weather is going to be the toughest thing for the Saints in my opinion. Considering the fact that the Saints have not played in VERY COLD WEATHER all yr (disadvantage for teams in the NFC/AFC South, come playoff time, IMO), I think it will be the "cold weather" that hurts the Saints. Playoff time plus cold weather in the midwest is a different brand of football, then regular season plus warm weather in the southern states. I just doubt the ability of the Saints to play smash-mouth football in January. My opinion is...the Bears/Saints game won't be a high scoring game. I believe the Bears will win Sunday, and I don't think it will be as close as some WANT it to be. I'm thinking something like 24-7. I love the Bears, but if they hold the Saints to 7 points, I'll...I don't know what I'll do. It isn't going to happen. The Seahawks scored 24, and the Saints have a much better offense than they do. I hope the Bears shut them down cold, but I can't see that happening. Nor can I. It seems clear the Saints are going to put up points. The only question is, whether the Bears offense can score a few of their own, avoid costly turnovers while getting a couple opportunistic ones themselves. The Bears CAN win this game, but it will be very difficult. Right now, as much as I love my Bears, I'd have to give the edge to NO.

What irritates me is the comment about them maybe not being the better team. The Bears have been a lot better than Seattle this year. They didn't play very well today, but they still won because they're a better team. Believe it or not, that was one of Gene's more tame anti-Bears articles. He's been ripping into this club all year, but even he couldn't ignore those Grossman throws----which nobody can deny were absolutely incredible. Nor could he deny that, in the 4th quarter & overtime, when that defense absolutely NEEDED to stiffen, they did exactly that. You should have read the article he posted a few weeks back. You would have thought Lovie Smith had killed his family or something.

Possibly, but it should be noted that, in Holmgren's eagerness to keep the ball away from Hester, he gave the Bears good field position all day and indeed, in the overtime his punter shanked it off his foot, giving the Bears the opportunity to move the ball into field goal position much more easily. So having Hester will help either way. Coaches can pick their poison: give Hester chances to score, or give the Bears offense good field position. It's a choice I'm more than happy to lay on opposing teams and their coaching staffs.

I'm probably just going to bug out and go to the Monroe lot (impossible to tailgate there). I also don't feel like getting up early enough to get a spot in the 31st St. lot. If there's anyone who has a spot in one of the preferred lots, they would be the best for tailgating.

Yeah, the Giants are going to care about a positive amphetamine test after keeping Barry on the club for years after knowing what a roid cheat he is. A little late for SF to start taking the high ground on Barry. I'm not so sure it's a matter of them taking the high ground. Rather, since they know 1 more positive test means 25 game suspension (or is it 20), they might be negotiating some verbage that protects them from that situation. Also, knowing that he might have to play it safe and not take the same things he had to take to be good in the first place, they might be trying to protect themselves from a completey disastrous Bonds season. I suppose that could be. I think it's 25 for the 2nd positive...

Alexander would have to start running strong before he can continue running strong. An average of 105 yards per game since coming back from his injury is nothing to laugh at. If that was his average, maybe you'd have a point, but it's not. Besides, he's only rushed for that much twice in the 8 games since he's been back, and he's averaged just 3.69 yards per attempt. You confused me by this... perhaps I miss calc'd ? As Soul mentioned, those numbers are elevated due to his 200+ against GB and SD. That being said, he isn't the RB he was last year and Hasselbeck is an average QB right now. I have a gut feeling the Bears will win and could win big, However... IF, and it is a BIG if, Hasselbeck finds his stuff, that opens up Alexander to have a nice game. Just a thought.... ....I think you forgot to add the playoff game, which I believe drops Shaun below 100ypg.

Alexander would have to start running strong before he can continue running strong. An average of 105 yards per game since coming back from his injury is nothing to laugh at. Mostly that is 2 games, GB & SD, where they ran him 40 and 31 times respectively. All the other games he was below 100 yards: SF, DEN, ARI, SF (again), TB.... He's still a great back, but he clearly hasn't been the same this year. Word is he was limping last week too. Now that I've said it I'm sure he'll torch us for 150 :wink:

Maris also rarely approached 162 games played. After hitting 61 homers in 1961, he never again hit so many as 40. He did, however win 2 MVPs and was a pretty good OPS+ guy for awhile.

Yeah, the Giants are going to care about a positive amphetamine test after keeping Barry on the club for years after knowing what a roid cheat he is. A little late for SF to start taking the high ground on Barry. Gotta love how Bonds throws a teammate under the bus on a whim, then when it leaks to the press does a 180 quicker than an olympic ice skater. Good Lord it will be a happy, sun-shiny day when we are finally rid of Bonds.

Baldelli has also been an injury risk, I believe.

I should hope we score more points than that. I'll take any win this weekend. Even a 1-point, total-luck, whole-country-knows-you-should-have-lost, win. JUST DO NOT LOSE.

IMO, the problem on this team isn't Skiles, it's the lack of height and inside scoring. And that's not going to change any time soon. Looks like one and done again to me. No significant improvement over last year. Yeah we signed Wallace----and lost our only 7' ballplayer in the process. I don't care how good a defender people think Wallace is; against some teams we're just going to suck because they can play further off the ground than we can reach. Period.

Sayers grates on my nerves sometimes. I tend to tune him out. I know he's a legend, but I just don't like his commentary. At all. Hampton's either.

Don't knock those end zone seats. I had a pair to the Buffalo game, and every TD except one was scored in my end zone. They wound up being the best seats in the house, bar none. Have fun at the game! Same with me, although I was in the north endzone in the 100 level. Awesome seats, especially since they were only $65. The only thing that was going to complete that game for me was a TD in the north endzone and that happened after the kickoff fumble recovery. Then they lost the shutout :( That was also Cedric Benson's first TD as a pro, I do believe.

Easily. '04 Clark? Sure. '05 Clark? Gimme. The consensus in Milwaukee is he's not going to get back to those levels. If Clark can't get back to the high .300's in OBP, he's about as useless a starter as can be imagined. A little speed, a little glove, no power........much like any other AAA prospect.

The fact that we're down to Clark shows what a massive, gaping, stinking hole CF is going to be in '07.

Don't knock those end zone seats. I had a pair to the Buffalo game, and every TD except one was scored in my end zone. They wound up being the best seats in the house, bar none. Have fun at the game! I've sat in the end zone for a game once against the Vikings in 2004 (Chad Hutchinson's breakout game!) and it wasn't all that bad. I guess I am just spoiled because the last 6 games I've been to since that game I've sat in the Cadillac Club right on the 40 yard line. Caddy club seats are nice, but I don't think they're worth the 3x price. It's too much. I've got them this time, and I won't be doing it again. I heard Sunday might be blustery and sleet----bring your jacket :wink: